“Nope,” replied the stranger.
“Know anybody hereabouts?”
“Nary one.”
“Jest ridin' through?”
“Yep.”
“Slopin' fer back country, eh?”
There came a pause. The stranger appeared to grow a little resentful and drew himself up disdainfully.
“Wal, considerin' you-all seem so damn friendly an' oncurious down here in this Big Bend country, I don't mind sayin' yes—I am in on the dodge,” he replied, with deliberate sarcasm.
“From west of Ord—out El Paso way, mebbe?”
“Sure.”